The Navy uses the Rating Entry for General Apprentices system to monitor E-3s and below looking to join a rating group. Officials set a two-month look ahead at quotas, but readjust them each month, depending on the numbers of applicants and approvals.

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The Navy uses the Rating Entry for General Apprentices system to monitor E-3s and below looking to join a rating group. Officials set a two-month look ahead at quotas, but readjust them each month, depending on the numbers of applicants and approvals.

 Aviation boatswain's mate (fuels): Zone A, zero to six years of service, is manned at 81 percent, creating 56 entry-level quotas, primarily in year groups 2009 through 2012. Advancement to E-4 is expected to be good for the next few advancement cycles. A flight deck physical is required.

Aviation boatswain's mate (handling): With Zone A manned at 89 percent, expect plenty of opportunity through the year. Right now, there are 123 entry-level quotas available, primarily in year groups 2009 through 2012. Advancement to E-4 is expected to be good for the next few advancement cycles. The flight deck physical is required.

 Aviation boatswain's mate (launch and recovery): With Zone A manned to 81 percent, officials expect opportunity through the year. There are 59 entry-level quotas available, primarily in year groups 2009 through 2012. The flight deck physical is required.

 Aviation ordnanceman: Zone A manning is at 88 percent. There are 78 rating entry quotas available in year groups 2002, 2003 and 2006. Security clearance is required, as well as a flight deck physical.

 Boatswain's mate: This rating is undermanned in Zone A at 72 percent. This shortage is due to the Professional Apprenticeship Career Track policy and delayed accessions over the last two years. With 310 accessions planned for E-3 and below, officials are looking to fill 143 of those openings immediately.

In the fall, the advancement opportunity  the likelihood of promotion for those who passed the test  was more than 70 percent for making E-4.

 Culinary specialist: One of the Navy's most undermanned ratings is offering 151 openings to enter the rating for year groups 2010 to 2012. Not only that, the Navy is also offering first-term sailors bonuses to re-enlist. Zone A manning is at 81 percent.

In the fall, the chance for making E-4 as a CS (Sub) was 100 percent.

 Damage controlman: There are 41 quotas available for rating entry for those in year groups 2010 through 2012. Advancement is good. Zone A is undermanned at 86 percent.

 Electrician's mate: Rating entry is good, with 39 quotas available in year groups 2011 and 2012. The chance to advance to E-4 hit 100 percent in the spring, and is expected to remain high.

 Operations specialist: Though the rating is overmanned in the petty officer ranks and offering convert-outs, opportunities are good for rating entry with 68 openings and above-average opportunity to advance to third class.

In the fall, the chance to advance to E-4 was more than 80 percent. The chance to make E-5 was 100 percent.

 Yeoman: The chance to advance to E-4 in YN (Sub) and (Surface) both hit 100 percent in the fall, and E-4 advancement is expected to remain high.

There are 80 rating entry quotas available in this rating. Rating Entry Designation is available in year groups 2010 and 2011 for those already working in the rating and advancement exam quotas in year groups 2010 through 2012.